Turkey’s Energy Policy and the Future of Natural Gas

Study (Center for Energy Studies) December 16, 2013
Harvard University’s Belfer Center & Rice University’s Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies

By Soner Cagaptay and Tyler Evans *

Buoyed by a decade of economic growth, Turkey is more prosperous than ever before. At the forefront of this transformation, Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has reaped the rewards of economic success and political prestige. But as the party strives to institutionalize its gains, it faces growing challenges at home and abroad. Domestic polarization erupted into massive unrest during the Gezi protests of June 2013, potentially threatening Turkey’s hard-won reputation for political stability. Alongside this domestic trend, Turkey’s region is perpetually dangerous with spillover from Syria’s civil war and worsening fractionalization in Iraq at the forefront of Ankara’s regional concerns.

* Soner Cagaptay,Ph.D., Senior Fellow and Director, Turkish Research Program, Washington Institute; and Tyler Evans, Yvonne Silverman Research Assistant, Turkish Research Program, Washington Institute

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